one's

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one's" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate possession in a general or indefinite sense, often referring to a person in a formal or literary context. Example: "One should always strive to do one's best in every situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One's his and one's hers.

The New York Times - Food

One's green and one's red.

The New Yorker

One's enough.

The New York Times - Arts

"One's craft,….

The New Yorker

" 'This one's for Virginia.

The New York Times - Sports

One's tall.

The New York Times

One's short.

The New York Times

No one's told me".

Independent

"That one's no good".

The New York Times - Magazine

One's obviously very tough.

The New York Times - Sports

No one's in.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "one's," ensure consistency in pronoun usage throughout the sentence and surrounding text to avoid awkward shifts in perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "ones" (plural of "one") when you mean "one's" (possessive form of "one"). "Ones" refers to multiple items, while "one's" indicates possession or belonging to a single, unspecified person.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one's" serves as a possessive pronoun, indicating ownership, association, or a quality belonging to an unspecified person. As supported by Ludwig AI, it maintains a formal and impersonal tone, suitable for general statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one's" functions as a possessive pronoun that helps maintain a formal and impersonal tone in writing. It is predominantly found in news and media sources. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. When using "one's", ensure consistency in pronoun usage and avoid confusing it with "ones". Consider alternatives like "a person's" or rephrasing for less formal contexts. Understanding these nuances ensures effective communication and avoids common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a person's

Replaces the indefinite "one" with a more direct reference to "a person".

an individual's

Uses a more formal term, "individual", to indicate possession.

someone's

Replaces the formal "one" with a more casual "someone".

each person's

Uses the term "each person" to indicate possession, applicable in a group context.

his or her

Specifies gender, which "one's" avoids, making it less neutral.

belonging to one

Rephrases the possessive in a more descriptive way.

of a person

Uses a prepositional phrase to express possession.

a body's

Uses a more graphic term, "body", to indicate possession, applicable in specific cases.

a soul's

Uses a more spiritual term, "soul", to indicate possession, applicable in specific cases.

one is

Expands the contraction to its full form, changing the meaning from possessive to a statement of being.

FAQs

How do I properly use "one's" in a sentence?

"One's" is used to show possession by an unspecified person, maintaining a formal tone. For example, "One should always be mindful of "one's actions"."

What's the difference between "one's" and "ones"?

"One's" indicates possession (e.g., "one's opinion"), while "ones" is the plural form of "one" (e.g., "the red ones"). Confusing them is a common grammatical error.

When is it appropriate to use "one's" instead of "his/her"?

Use "one's" when you want to be gender-neutral and maintain a formal tone, especially when referring to a hypothetical or unspecified person. For example, "One's responsibility is to act ethically."

Are there alternatives to "one's" for less formal writing?

Yes, in less formal contexts, you can use phrases like "a person's", "someone's", or rephrase the sentence to avoid the possessive altogether.